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An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Cellular infiltration in induced rat thyroiditis: phenotypic analysis and relationship to genetic restriction
H J De Assis-Paiva1, D C Rayner, I M Roitt
1Department of Immunology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, UK.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Thyroiditis severity in rats depends on thyroglobulin (Tg) and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype. Immune cells like macrophages and T lymphocytes infiltrate the thyroid in high responder strains.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a key autoantigen in autoimmune thyroid disease.
- The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic control of autoimmune thyroiditis responsiveness in rats.
- To determine the relationship between MHC haplotype and thyroiditis severity.
Main Methods:
- Induction of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) using Tg and adjuvants in various rat strains.
- Assessment of Tg-autoantibody titers and histological thyroiditis index.
- Phenotypic analysis of thyroid inflammatory infiltrates using immunofluorescence.
Main Results:
- Thyroiditis severity was Tg-dependent and strongly associated with the RT.1-MHC haplotype.
- High responder strains showed increased macrophages and cytotoxic/suppressor T lymphocytes in thyroid infiltrates.
- Class II MHC expression on thyroid epithelium correlated with leukocyte infiltration.
Conclusions:
- The rat MHC haplotype significantly influences susceptibility to Tg-induced autoimmune thyroiditis.
- Specific immune cell subsets are characteristic of high responder rat strains.
- MHC class II expression on thyroid cells is linked to the inflammatory infiltrate.
